UN 
On Monday morning, as heatwaves sweep mining regions from Australia’s Pilbara to South America’s Lithium Triangle, a coalition of international NGOs published new maps identifying ecosystems they argue must be off-limits for mining. The initiative, led by the Environmental Justice Atlas and supported by WWF International, comes as the scramble for lithium, nickel, and cobalt intensifies in the wake of global net zero commitments.
The push for ‘no-go zones’ is a direct response to mounting evidence that critical mineral extraction is encroaching on biologically sensitive regions. According to the mapping effort released today, at least 30 percent of proposed new mining concessions overlap with key biodiversity areas or Indigenous territories. The NGOs are calling for national governments and companies to adopt binding exclusion policies by the end of 2026, insisting that voluntary pledges have so far had limited impact on the ground.
Industry groups, including the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), have acknowledged the need for better safeguards but warn that blanket bans could slow the global clean energy transition. Yet, recent field data from Peru’s Amazon and the Democratic Republic of Congo indicate that unchecked mining is already undermining local water supplies and accelerating deforestation, threatening SDGs 6 and 15.
The European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, enacted earlier this year, is cited as a partial model, introducing mandatory supply chain due diligence and a mechanism for designating ‘red zones.’ However, NGOs note that enforcement remains patchy, and few mining projects have been relocated or canceled as a result. With the global market for battery minerals projected to reach $100 billion by the end of 2026, the stakes for balancing energy security and ecosystem protection are rising sharply.
As vacationers in southern Europe and mining towns across the globe contend with record temperatures this week, the call for a just transition is gaining urgency. The NGO coalition plans to present their proposal to the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development later this month, pressing for international standards that move beyond voluntary disclosure to enforceable, science-based no-go zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NGOs demanding regarding mining in sensitive ecosystems?
NGOs are urging governments and companies to establish binding no-go zones for mining in sensitive ecosystems and Indigenous lands, arguing that voluntary measures are insufficient.
How much proposed mining overlaps with biodiversity or Indigenous areas?
At least 30% of proposed new mining concessions overlap with key biodiversity areas or Indigenous territories.
What does the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act do about mining in sensitive areas?
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act introduces mandatory due diligence and a mechanism for designating ‘red zones,’ but enforcement is still limited and few projects have been relocated or canceled.
What environmental impacts from mining have been observed recently?
Recent field data from Peru’s Amazon and the Democratic Republic of Congo show that mining is harming water supplies and accelerating deforestation.
How large is the projected global market for battery minerals by 2026?
The global market for battery minerals is projected to reach $100 billion by the end of 2026.
